If you own a SE84 series amplifier you will be specifically interested in what the differences are between yours and this new Select Version. If you don't own an SE84 series amplifier you can read about them here.

The first and obvious thing is of course the chassis. These chassis are powder coated in a black wrinkle finish to lend a more expensive look to the amplifier.

Perhaps not so obvious is the absence of the tube shields around the sockets. Instead we flush mounted the sockets for a cleaner look.

The power transformer and output transformers are identical to those used in the SE84C. However, the power supply has been improved by using a 5U4 rectifier tube, and a 50W VISHAY wire wound 1% power resistor is used in place of the stock ceramic.

Another favorite tweak of ours has been implemented in the bias circuit. Rather than using the stock 5 watt ceramic 150 ohm bias resistor, we silver wire a VISHAY 25 watt 1% and heat sink it.

The amp is shipped with a faster 6922 input tube in favor of the 6N1P although both sound very good as do 6DJ8's.

The stock 1% metal film resistors on the input and between stages have been upgraded to special non inductive wire wound mil-spec precision Resistas. The values have been changed to extended high frequency response.

For people who appreciate tweaky cables and connectors we have supplied an ADDITIONAL pair of input jacks 1/2" away from the input tube and direct connected to it. This eliminates the Alps pot and the internal interconnect from the signal path and will let you realize a new level of performance from your interconnects.

There are still inputs and a volume control on the back just like always and interestingly enough, you can run your signal direct into the front jacks with some limited control of volume because the volume pot becomes a variable shunt to ground. Note: To protect your source from seeing a dead short, the volume control when used with the front jacks will not turn the amplifier all the way down. Our intension for these input jacks was more for a good preamp like the ZTPRE or a variable out line stage. However, in a pinch some volume adjustment can be made without either.

The dual binding posts have been upgraded to heavy duty Cliff 24K Gold Insulated. These are the same ones we use on our signature amps. They accept up to 8 gauge wire. One set is reversed so that high end cables using non-mirror image connectors don't have to be twisted and can therefor be installed properly without looking silly.

Also, last but not least, we have THE ideal coupling caps sure to sound better than any of the overpriced "audiophile" caps you've thought about trying. These German film and foil poly caps are segregated for unparalleled speed. They have perfectly clear focus and amazing air brought on by the increased size and weight of the soundstage. They push this amp over the edge to a point where you're mind starts to bend from things sounding too real. They also add a good degree of slam and spank in the bass, as does every other tweak we've discussed. The end result is so performance enhanced you'll swear you got another couple watts. These are the same caps used in our Signature Monoblocks as with all the other parts discussed so far.

The idea was to bring a signature level of sound and performance to the original Zen amp for those who just don't need the added power of our signature amps. The only sonic difference in sound between this amp and our signature amps is that the signature amps with their significant power advantage have more weight and are more forgiving of speaker selection.

Steve Deckert